KVSH Racing plan for just one full-time car in 2016

Project engineer Bill Pappas among three members of staff let go as a result.

Jimmy Vasser has confirmed to Motorsport.com that KVSH Racing is planning for just one full-time car this season.

As a result, the team has downsized, and released three members of the 2015 lineup, including Bill Pappas, who was project engineer for the team. Before joining KV, Pappas had spent 2014 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and in 2012 and ’13 had been race engineer for the late Justin Wilson at Dale Coyne Racing.

Since the end of last season there had been rumors that KVSH Racing co-owners Vasser, Kevin Kalkhoven and James Sullivan had been considering a downsized team in 2016. Incumbent Sebastien Bourdais – who has yet to be confirmed as returning – approved of such a move.

“I think the team are realizing that we only should have a second car if it can add to our overall program,” Bourdais told Motorsport.com last September. “If the driver is inexperienced or costs the team in crash damage, what’s the use?

“I think Rahal proved one car can work just as well, if everyone is giving their best,” added Bourdais, who scored one win for KVSH in 2014, and two last year, ending both seasons 10th in the championship standings. 2015 teammate Stefano Coletti was an IndyCar rookie who became known for his incidents as well as flashes of speed.

Nonetheless, last December, Matt Brabham was confirmed in a PIRTEK-backed entry for KVSH Racing in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, and the 100th running of the Indy 500.

Kalkhoven commented that Sage Karam, who has not been re-signed by Chip Ganassi Racing, was on a list of drivers under consideration for the second KVSH seat over the winter, but negotiations have apparently come to naught.

However, Kalkhoven did move to refute rumors that the team was on the verge of making a shock move from Chevrolet to Honda power this season.

He stated: “Every time a contract comes up, of course we consider alternatives. That’s a natural course of business.

“However, we are very happy with our relationship with Chevy and have renewed with them.”